MY TOP TEN TECHIE THINGS FOR SUMMER
IT’S official, it is Summer time!
(Even though the great British weather may not agree.)
The kids are off school, the barbies are being dusted off and if you’re anything like me you’ll currently be in the midst of washing and ironing and packing, as you prepare to go off on holiday.
Summer is just brilliant isn’t it? Such a happy time, for children and parents alike.
I love Summer!
As a freelancer, I always feel incredibly lucky that I get to enjoy so much of it, either working outside in the garden or switching my work to the evenings so I can bathe in any sunshine.
Plus as a parent, it sure makes life easier too. Because as we all know, no kids like to be cooped up inside when they could be outdoors playing and running and splashing in paddling pools!
And of course, these days we also have the very best technology to help us make the most of this special time of year too.
So when John Lewis asked me to take part in their #FindYourSummer campaign, sharing my favourite technology things, I simply couldn’t refuse.
Here are my top ten techie things that I swear by, that will make anyone’s life a lot easier and happier this Summer…
1)PHONE
The most obvious one I know but I ask you, who wouldn’t be lost without their phone?! I use my phone for so much.
To read, to communicate, to share, to work, to be entertained. I currently use the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and love how much it enables me to effortlessly do.
2) CAMERA
Like so, so many of us, I am obsessed with photography and catching happy moments.
Taking snaps of Elsie is one of my most favourite things to do and although phones do have smashing cameras these days, I still swear by my SLR for ‘proper’ photos (like you see here on my blog) and my new super duper, handbag friendly Canon Powershot.
I’ve had my new camera – the Powershot – for about a month or so now and I have to say, I’m really impressed so far. I love the fact I can just pop it in my bag, go off on my travels and take professional looking snaps without having to carry around a heavy camera. It’s an absolute godsend as a blogger, let me tell you!
This nifty little camera can do lots of things (only this morning someone was telling me it’s great for recording vlogs!) so I’m looking forward to using it more over the next few weeks, on our holiday and back home.
3) LAPTOP
Without my Macbook Air, I wouldn’t be able to do this blog or look after my clients and I wouldn’t be able to sit outside on a nice day and work! I love my laptop.
It cost me a hell of a lot of money but it makes working an utter joy so was worth every penny.
4) BLUETOOTH SPEAKER
One of the husband’s favourite techie things which is fast becoming one of mine!
We use the nifty little Black Boombot Rex Bluetooth Speaker – a small but mighty premium Bluetooth speaker and it’s really great.
We just link up a phone to it via bluetooth to pay our favourite summer songs, wherever we may want to hear them! Brilliant for barbies or kid’s birthday parties.
5) WIFI EXTENDER
Not the most exciting of techie things granted but this little gadget lets me crack on with my work when I’m sat outside in the garden so it gets a big ol’ thumbs up from me.
6) INSTAGRAM
I know it’s social media, but it’s still a techie thing right?
I adore Instagram but it’s especially brilliant at this time of year as it enables me to edit and share pictures easily (perfect for when we go on holiday) and keep up to date with all the lovely stuff my friends and family are doing this Summer.
7) iPAD
Great for easy reading or taking on a journey. I’m not it’s greatest fan, but it is very clever.
8) GOOGLE MAPS
Can you imagine a life (or journey) without satellite navigation?! I know I can’t!
I use Google Maps on my phone whenever I drive to a place I’m not familiar with and it has never ever let me down. A must for every driver, but especially for those who are driving to holiday destinations this Summer.
9) DVD PLAYER FOR CAR
Another godsend of a product for parents everywhere!
No, children shouldn’t watch too much TV but honestly, when you find yourself stuck in the middle of gridlock city on the motorway with a grumpy child in the back, you will thank your lucky stars you invested in one.
10) CAR PHONE CHARGER
Not exciting no, but it does its job and it does it well.
Making sure that when I’m on the move, I will have plenty of battery life to use Google Maps or reply to emails and take plenty of super snaps if I’m a passenger.
Don’t you just love technology?!
Many thanks to John Lewis for asking me to be part of their fabulous #FindYourSummer campaign.
With love,
Kate
Disclaimer – this post was written in collaboration with John Lewis.
We must look into getting a DVD player before we drive to France. I want a Mac Book! xx
Get one! Get both! ;-) xxx
Great list! With my older two I swore I would never have a dvd player in the car, and I didn’t. With The Tiny American we got one before he was a year old and it is a Godsend…I can’t imagine travel without it!
Fab list honey and I think all of these would be on mine too! I don’t know what we would have done without our in-car DVD players for the long two day drive to Mar Menor in Spain and living without my phone… well let’s just say a shiver just shot down my spine! Hope you’re having a wonderful Summer darling xx
I wouldn’t be without my wifi extender either – a great way to sit in the garden and stay online. Multi-tasking at its best! :) #TheList
The children’s tablets for the car are a must for us – i have the Samsung Note 4 and would be lost without it, I also have an on the go power pack that charges all my techy things which has been used loads so far #TheList
Interesting, I don’t get on with Google maps on my phone at all. I really struggle with it, reading it, directions etc. Luckily I’ve got sat nav in the car anyway, but sometimes for walking it’s handy. Or it would be if I could work it
I really should get a blue tooth speaker. I gave the last one I had to my nephews, and I’m regretting it now.
I think while you can get excited about technology, really it’s the practical we’re all after, to be able to continue exactly what we want to do.
Great list! I need a phone charger as well. I phone just eat the battery like there’s no tomorrow! :o #TheList